Due to a significant backlog of cases and the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it can take up to a year for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to process your disability claim, provide you with a rating decision, and approve you for benefits.

What Happens if I File an Appeal?

If you make the decision to file an appeal in the year following a denial of veterans’ disability benefits, it takes an average of seven months to receive another decision. If you then appeal the Statement of the Case, you may wait another two years before you receive benefits. While these long wait times can be frustrating and financially straining, it is important that you do not become discouraged from applying for disability benefits or appealing a denial if you do indeed deserve support.

How Can I Speed Up the Process?

How can you make the approval or appeals process go faster? While there is little you can do to speed up the process, you can make sure that you provide the VA with complete medical records that clearly link your illness or health condition with your military service – and that you complete all of the other necessary paperwork needed for approval.